Working Horses Research Articles

Endoparasitism and risk factors in horses from ethnic communities in Andean areas of southern Chile.

Parasitic infections are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. In the Andean mountainous regions of Chile, horses are a highly valued specie, playing a key role as working animals also providing support in cattle transhumance grazing into high mountainous areas during dry season. The breeding and maintenance of horses in the mountainous region of La Araucanía in Chile is a key issue allowing to the subsistence economy of communities with a strong ethnic component represented by Mapuche-Pehuenche origin families. However, the health status of these animals is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine endoparasitic infections in horses from this area and the main factors that may influence parasitism. Thus, a cross-sectional study performed in 126 working horses from Andean region was achieved by using different coproparasitologycal analyses, resulting in a 97,6% of prevalence of endoparasitism with the strongyle eggs showing the highest prevalence of infection in analysed horses (96%) followed by Oxyuris equi (27%), Parascaris equorum (17,5%) and protozoans including ciliates (11,1%), Blastocystis spp (5,6%), Giardia spp (2,4%) and Cryptosporidium spp (1,6%) highlighting zoonotic relevance of some of these species. Concerning risk factors, the high prevalence suggests that exposure was high regardless of age or sex. The higher proportion of infected horses were grazing compared to those stabled, likewise drinking non-potable water, being these the main risks factors linked to the high prevalence of horse infections in Andean communities here studied.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DO PERCHERON NO PÓS GUERRA: UMA ANÁLISE HISTÓRICA

This article aims to present a systematic study on the correlation between the post-war period, the importance and changes of the Percheron horse in the historical and economic context of world development. A horse from France with descendants of breeds such as Shire, Belgian and Arabian, with a docile temperament, strong and resistant morphology, participated in different historical scenarios that range from the war field to the work field and new modalities of today. Known for its great strength, it is one of the most outstanding draft horses in the world with a robust but elegant appearance. However, with Modernization and the use of mechanized vehicles, its creation suffered a decrease and appreciation, being sold at lower prices. It arrived in Brazil around the 20th century, brought by the Brazilian army, the Matarrazo company and the Companhia Cervejaria Antárctica with the aim of transporting cargo. The research was based on a bibliographical review of articles, books and theses that discussed the subject and presented an understanding of the topic. Faced with many impasses and socioeconomic and technological changes in the post-war period, the creation and destiny of the Percheron horse in agriculture and society underwent changes that compromised its existence for a certain period. From a sought- after and luxurious animal used in transportation and fighting in war due to its compact morphology and good musculature, to new forms of agricultural work and leisure, in addition to its role in Modern society.

An overview of various stages and morphology of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum in the horse.

This article describes the development of the pathogenic dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum (HCF), which is the causative agent of Equine epizootic lymphangitis (EEL), from the mycelial form in the soil to the yeast form in the horse. In this study, the stages and morphology of HCF were identified through histopathological analysis and culture with various samples collected in Ethiopia from 15 horses showing clinical signs of EEL. In equids, especially cart horses in Ethiopia, poor-quality harnesses cause cutaneous wounds, which often attract flies facilitating the transmission of the fungus. Also, HCF infection occurs through open wounds or ocular mucous membranes when horses roll on contaminated damp soil. Respiratory histoplasmosis can occur through inhaling fungal spores, which is rare. HCF microconidia enter the lungs and skin wounds and are phagocytized by tissue-resident macrophages. The spores undergo intracellular replication within the macrophages transitioning into yeasts. The infected macrophages undergo lysis releasing pathogenic yeast cells into the surrounding tissue. Consequently, yeast-rich purulent exudate is produced, contaminating the soil in stables where yeast cells germinate into the mycelial form, and the entire process starts from the beginning.

In search of epigenetic hallmarks of different tissues: an integrative omics study of horse liver, lung, and heart

DNA methylation and microRNA (miRNA) expression are epigenetic mechanisms essential for regulating tissue-specific gene expression and metabolic processes. However, high-resolution transcriptome, methylome, or miRNAome data is only available for a few model organisms and selected tissues. Up to date, only a few studies have reported on gene expression, DNA methylation, or miRNA expression in adult equine tissues at the genome-wide level. In the present study, we used RNA-Seq, miRNA-seq, and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) data from the heart, lung, and liver tissues of healthy cold-blooded horses to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed miRNA (DE miRNA) and differentially methylated sites (DMSs) between three types of horse tissues. Additionally, based on integrative omics analysis, we described the observed interactions of epigenetic mechanisms with tissue-specific gene expression alterations. The obtained data allowed identification from 4067 to 6143 DMSs, 9733 to 11,263 mRNAs, and 155 to 185 microRNAs, differentially expressed between various tissues. We pointed out specific genes whose expression level displayed a negative correlation with the level of CpG methylation and miRNA expression and revealed biological processes that they enrich. Furthermore, we confirmed and validated the accuracy of the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) results with bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). This comprehensive analysis forms a strong foundation for exploring the epigenetic mechanisms involved in tissue differentiation, especially the growth and development of the equine heart, lungs, and liver.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Dülmen Wild, Liebenthal and Polish Konik Horses in Comparison with Przewalski, Sorraia, German Draught and Riding Horses.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the genetic diversity, individual-based assessment of population structure, and admixture in the Dülmen wild horse population in comparison to warmblood, coldblood, and primitive horse populations. The Dülmen wild horse is kept as a unique horse population in the Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen in Westphalia, Germany, and since 1856 has been managed by the Dukes of Croÿ. The Dülmen wild horse population is exposed to the natural conditions of the Merfelder Bruch all year round without human interventions for feeding and veterinary care. In the present study, genetic diversity was estimated for 101 Dülmen wild horses using multilocus genotypic information from a set of 29 autosomal microsatellites and compared with 587 horses from 17 different horse populations. Dülmen wild horses maintained a high degree of genetic diversity, with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.68, a mean number of 6.17 alleles, and heterozygote deficit of -0.035. Pairwise genetic distances (FST, Nei's standard, and Cavalli-Sforza distances) were closest to German coldblood breeds, Polish Konik, and Icelandic horses and most divergent from Sorraia and Przewalski's horses. Neighbor joining dendrogram and PCA plots showed a clear distinction of Dülmen wild horses from other populations, particularly from Przewalski horses. Posterior Bayesian analysis confirmed clear differentiation from other horse populations without an admixture pattern and a high membership index (0.92). It was possible to distinguish Dülmen wild horses from Dülmen and Polish Konik horses. In conclusion, Dülmen wild horses show a notable separation from other German horse breeds and primitive horse populations and may serve as a resource to study evolution of equine domestication.

Welfare and stress assessment of tourism carriage horses under real working conditions in Sicily

Animal welfare has become an increasingly important concern regarding equids working as carriage animals. In the present study, the changes in the markers of stress and inflammatory responses as a result of the work performed by tourism carriage horses under real working conditions in Sicily (Italy) were investigated. Twenty-two Standardbreds performed a normal working day in the carriage tourism business during the months of May, June and July 2022, consisting of one day of work for each month. Blood samples were collected in the stables at rest before the tour route (Pre; 07.00 AM) and within 10 min after the end of the workday (Post; 05.00 PM). Haematological parameters, serum concentration of cortisol, total proteins together with the globulin fractions were investigated before and after the carriage work. Environmental temperature, relative humidity and temperature humidity index (THI) were also assessed. The direct erythrocyte indices increased after work compared to rest condition (P < 0.05). The values of cortisol, total proteins and globulins were not affected by carriage work (P > 0.05), while, higher cortisol, total proteins, α1- and α2-globulins values were observed in July compared to May and June (P < 0.05). These changes are probably due to the increase in THI values which showed mild stress in June and high stress in July. This study suggests that the tourism carriage horses herein investigated have adapted to their work activity, however, avoiding working horses during the hottest hours of the day in the summer months is advocated.

Taylorella equigenitalis in Icelandic intact males compared with other horse breeds using natural cover.

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. It is a venereal disease that is detected in some breeds more than others and can cause temporary infertility with substantial costs for regular testing, sanitation and retesting. There was a perceived increase in T. equigenitalis-positive cases in Icelandic intact males where natural cover is common. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic intact males and compare to draught horse and Haflinger intact males. We hypothesised that prevalence of T. equigenitalis is higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males. Cross sectional. Swabs from 76 Icelandic, 35 Haflinger, and 51 draught horse intact males were collected on 38 different farms and analysed by qPCR. Animals were further stratified into active breeding and non-breeding animals and age groups (1.5-7.0 and 8.0-26.0 years). Fisher's exact tests and mixed effect logistic regression with 'farm' as random effect were used to estimate differences in odds for T. equigenitalis-positive test results. The overall prevalence of T. equigenitalis in included intact males was 16.7% (27/162). The odds for T. equigenitalis-positive intact males were significantly higher in Icelandic compared with draught and Haflinger intact males (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43-28.8, p = 0.02). Odds for T. equigenitalis-positive intact males were significantly lower in active breeding compared with non-breeding animals (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01-0.54, p = 0.009). Age had no significant influence on test results. Convenience sampling with regional restrictions to Southern Germany and Austria, small sample size. Significantly higher odds for T. equigenitalis-positive intact males were found within Icelandic over draught and Haflinger and within non-breeding animals compared with active breeding animals. Findings suggest that non-breeding animals could be a reservoir for T. equigenitalis. Testing for CEM should therefore be routinely performed in Icelandic horses prior to breeding and investigations into epidemiology and reservoirs on affected farms should be initiated.

The Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Chronic Progressive Lymphedema and Body Traits in the Rhenish German Draught Horse.

Chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL) is a prevalent and progressive disease in Rhenish German draught horses. The objective of our follow-up study was to evaluate the heritability of this disease in Rhenish German draught horses using pedigree-based and genomic relationship matrices. We employed linear and threshold animal models. Models included the random animal effect and effects of breeding association, coat colour, sex, and age within sex, and farm-related factors, on CPL scores. In addition, we estimated heritabilities in models assuming censoring for data when horses were below an age of 1-15 years. The heritabilities of CPL scores across all ages were 0.595 ± 0.131 and 0.482 ± 0.105 in the threshold and linear animal model with pedigree-based relationship matrices, respectively. The restriction of data to horses with a minimum age at examination or accounting for censored data in younger animals showed an increase in heritabilities of CPL scores up to 0.788 ± 0.168 (threshold model) and 0.752 ± 0.153 (linear model) at an age of 7-8 years. Analyses including genomic relationship matrices yielded very similar estimates, but with smaller standard errors than pedigree-based analyses. Heritabilities in threshold models for CPL prevalence (CPL-bin-score) and the number of affected limbs (CPL-bin-sum) were 0.176-0.189 ± 0.061-0.064 and 0.375-0.433 ± 0.164-0.170, respectively. We were able to show moderately to highly positive genetic correlations between the CPL score and cannon bone circumference (0.529-0.825), height at withers (0.338-0.555), and skinfold thickness (0.241-0.517). Using the dichotomous trait for the CPL score and the genomic relationship matrix resulted in corresponding estimates of 0.868, 0.793, and 0.784, respectively. This study showed the great importance of additive genetic variation influencing the expression of chronic progressive lymphedema in Rhenish German draught horses. Therefore, further research is warranted to implement breeding programmes in a small breeding population that exploit the potential of additive genetic differences among animals for reducing the prevalence and severity of lesions of this incurable disease.

Traditional Gestures and Practices in the Management of Digestive Colic in Draught Horses in the Dakar and Thiès Regions of Senegal

Aims: The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the traditional gestures and practices used by horse owners and users in the management of digestive pathologies, in this case colic. Methodology: The study was a retrospective survey in the Dakar and Thiès regions, involving direct interviews with 540 horse owners and users between February 2023 and October 2023. Results: The owners and breeders of draught horses were all men with a variety of professional backgrounds, aged under 35 (69.07%) and making a living from breeding (60.74%). All the respondents knew how to recognize a colicky horse at an early stage by the first signs of abdominal pain, and feared the seriousness and urgency of this condition, associating it with a significant risk of mortality. When abdominal pain occurs, most of the people interviewed admit to using mainly traditional first aid, and only call in an animal health professional if this fails or if there are complications. Conclusion: Horse owners should be aware of the actions and practices to avoid in order not to worsen the prognosis or risk the life of their horse. They should also involve animal health professionals in a collaborative effort for the health and well-being of horses.

Variability of the proximal phalanx in warmblood and coldblood horses – morphological and structural analyses

Anatomical shape as well as bone geometry are important factors for the mechanical properties of stiffness and strength in bones. In the light of this statement, the primary aim of the study was to evaluate the variable forms of the proximal phalanx in different types of horses. Multivariate analyses of data from 81 horses revealed that the proximal phalanx has diverse spatial forms. Differences were observed particularly in the length of the bone and the breadth of its diaphysis. In horses with lighter morphotype, the phalanx is significantly narrower in its middle section. In the second stage of the study, geometrical parameters of the phalanx were analysed with the use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Tomographic analysis was conducted at three levels: at 15%, 50% and 85% of the bone length. Based on the analysis, we concluded that most of the geometric parameters have higher values in coldbloods but only at the mid-diaphysis (50%) and at 85% of the bone length. Moreover, in coldblood horses, higher strength of the phalanx at these levels, expressed by Strength Strain Index, was observed. We did not observe any significant differences between warmblood and coldblood horses in the metaphyseal proximal region which is located at 15 % of the bone length.

DNA barcoding of Anoplocephala perfoliata derived from a draft horse (Ban'ei horse) in Hokkaido, Japan.

A two-year-old male Japanese draft horse (known as a "Ban'ei horse") excreted eight cestodes. Based on their morphological features, they were identified as Anoplocephala perfoliata. The partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences of the worms were nearly identical to A. perfoliata isolated from horses in Europe. The results of phylogenetic analyses of COI revealed that our samples and the European isolates formed the same clade, which was separate from Chinese and Australian isolates. Ban'ei horses were developed by crossbreeding draft horses imported from European countries in the 1900s. Our results suggest that A. perfoliata was transported to Hokkaido with horses from Europe. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. perfoliata infection in a Japanese draft horse.

ЭКСТЕРЬЕРНО-КОНСТИТУЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ И ХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ МЯСА ЛОШАДЕЙ УЛЬДУРГИНСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ

The development of horse herd farming with increase in number of meat horses, exclusively adapted to the conditions of year-round grazing, is an urgent problem of animal husbandry. Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding in collaboration with the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding" bred Uldurginskaya horse. They crossbred Buryat horses with stallions of Russian draft horse, Russian trotter and Transbaikalian horse to increase productivity and reproductive qualities of animals. The aim of the present research was to study the exterior and constitutional characteristics and meat productivity of young horses, depending on breed. Experimental studies were conducted in conditions of breeding farms of Agricultural Production Cooperative "Uldurga" and OOO "Domna" (Yeravninskiy district, Republic of Buryatia), the composition of meat raw materials was studied in the laboratory of Center for Collective Use "Progress", ESSUTM. The analysis of exterior and constitutional features of new breed specimen indicates that they differ in strong bones and distinct meat forms, which is confirmed with body mass index. There was significant increase in body weight of young Uldurginskaya breed compared to Buryat one: at 6 months by 51.6 kg, at 18 months by 45.7 kg, at 30 months by 51.9 kg. Studies of chemical composition of muscle tissue have shown higher protein content (by 6.4–9.3 %) in meat of Uldurginskaya breed.

Equine Proliferative Enteropathy in a Japanese Draft Horse

Equine Proliferative Enteropathy in a Japanese Draft Horse

Non-suppurative and necrotizing testicular arteritis in the male reproductive organs of a heavy draft horse.

Equine testicular arteritis commonly occurs as a consequence of the migration of nematode larvae or equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection. However, testicular arteritis without evidence of these infections has been reported, and the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. We encountered testicular arteritis without evidence of nematode or EAV infection in a 3-year-old male heavy draft horse with scrotal enlargement. Grossly, the volume of the pampiniform plexus was markedly increased due to edema. Histologically, non-suppurative and necrotizing testicular arteritis, characterized by lymphocyte infiltration and fibrinoid necrosis of the arterial walls, was diffusely observed in the spermatic cord, pampiniform plexus (most severe), testis, and epididymis. We were unable to identify the cause of arteritis, such as a viral infection or autoimmune abnormality.

“HOOF WOODPECKER” AT CORONARY BAND AND HOOF WALL LEVEL IN FORESTRY ENVIRONEMENT WORKING HORSES

"Hoof woodpeckers or penetrating foreign bodies in the hoof are frequently found in working horses. A special pathology is encountered in horses that work in forestry environment. Unlike the metalic foreing body (so called clou de rue) that just penetrate the sole, the wood goes in by hammering (by sudden pressure). Movement between the hoof and the 3rd phalanx causes the foreign body to advance in depth. The study was carried out on a number of 54 working horses in the forestry environment, males, aged between 4 and 14 years. The diagnosis was established on the basis of the clinical examination and the history, the radiological examination being inconclusive. As a particularity, the fragmentation of wooden foreign bodies does not occur at the time of extraction but at the time of hammering through the hard tissues due to the forces that determine the change of the penetration trajectory. Restraint was achieved by physical and chemical means (sedation and anesthesia). The wound was cleaned and then the hole in the hoof wall was widened with the help of the hoof knife. The foreign body was extracted using a thick forceps or a dental extraction forceps. The dressing was changed every 48h until healing. The wound had been washed with potassium permanganate solution (KMnO4) or betadine 10%."

Personality of equids: Donkeys and draught horses behave differently in fear and tactile sensitivity tests

Horses and donkeys are used for agriculture, leisure, urban services and therapy. Although these two species obviously behave differently, it is important to measure their behavioural specificity when tested in the same situations and to highlight the existence of some personality dimensions. During 104 breeding shows in France, personality tests validated for horses as measuring fearfulness and tactile sensitivity dimensions were applied to 1-year-old equids: 242 donkeys and 924 draught horses. In fear tests, compared to draught horses, donkeys in-hand moved less during height measurement ( P< 0.0001), walked less rapidly around a novel object (P< 0.015) and refused to move forward more often in front of a novel surface (P< 0.0001). During most tests, donkeys presented less tense posture and less evasive behaviours (P< 0.015). However, during suddenness tests, donkeys in-hand fled similarly to horses. Free in an open field with grass, donkeys walked as much as horses and grazed less (P< 0.0001). Finally, donkeys reacted more to filaments measuring tactile sensitivity (P< 0.0001). These results were often modulated by sex in horses with more reactions in males, and to a lesser degree in donkeys but with more reactions in females. Correlation and principal component analyses (PCA) of these individual characteristics within each species revealed stability of behaviours across fearful situations. In addition, PCA factor loadings revealed concordance between species (inter-factors 1: Kendall Tau = 0.33, P=0.021, inter-factors 2: Kendall Tau = 0.36, P=0.012). This suggested that the two species have similarities in their personality structure. In conclusion, young donkeys behave differently to young draught horses toward static novelties and tactile stimulation, but similarly when confronted with a visual surprise or free in an open field. However, there is probably an underlying common personality structure in the two species. For fearfulness to be considered as a personality dimension in donkeys, further studies are required to demonstrate its stability over time. These results have implications for animal welfare, because the fact that donkeys do not move does not mean that they are not afraid. Physiological measures and finer behavioural observations are required to characterise more precisely fear in donkeys. There are also implications for the safety of inexperienced people unaware of the danger of certain situations, particularly when equids considered to be placid are involved.

Alleviating lesions of chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses by successfully treating Chorioptes bovis infestation with moxidectin 0.5% pour-on

The aim of this prospective, randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of a moxidectin pour-on solution for the treatment of Chorioptes bovis infestation in Belgian draft horses, and in addition, to evaluate the effect of this treatment on the clinical signs and lesions associated with chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL). Nineteen privately owned Belgian draft horses were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (moxidectin pour-on formulation, n = 10) or a placebo group (phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), n = 9). On Day 0, all 19 horses tested positive for the presence of C. bovis in superficial skin scrapings. Prior to treatment, all feathering on the distal limbs of the horses was clipped. Treatment was applied twice (Day 0 and 7). Pour-on moxidectin (Cydectin 0.5% Pour-On; Zoetis) was evenly distributed over the distal legs of the horses at a dose of 1.5 mg moxidectin/kg body weight. Animals in the placebo group were treated with PBS. Pretreatment and follow-up examinations consisted of counting living mites in superficial skin scrapings, scoring pruritus, and scoring mange-associated and CPL-associated lesions (skinfold score and skin lesion score). Horses in the placebo group and moxidectin group were followed up to 8 weeks and 24 weeks after the first treatment, respectively. On Day 14, no living mites were found in any of the horses in the moxidectin group (p = 0.013). These horses continued to remain free of mites, until the final sampling conducted at 24 weeks following the initial application of moxidectin, when three horses again showed living mites in skin scrapings. Treatment with moxidectin resulted in a significant reduction of both CPL-associated skin lesion scores (p = 0.003) and pruritus scores (p = 0.001) after only seven days. By Day 56, still no signs of pruritus (p < 0.0001) were detected, with significant improvement of mange-associated lesions (p < 0.0001). Although the skinfold score did not show a significant reduction by Day 56, the score for skin lesions associated with CPL had significantly improved (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that pour-on moxidectin, at a high dose and applied directly to the mite predilection site, was an effective treatment for C. bovis infestation in feathered draft horses, providing positive effects on CPL lesions, pruritus and mange-associated lesions. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the therapeutic significance of addressing mange in the management of CPL-affected draft horses.

Identification and comparison of milk fat globule membrane and whey proteins from Selle Français, Welsh pony, and Tieling Draft horse mare’s milk

Horse’s milk, with a high nutritional value and few allergenic proteins, could substitute cow’s milk for infant consumption. Herein, a label-free, proteomic method was used to identify and compare milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and whey proteins from three different horse breeds: Selle Français (SF), Welsh pony (WP), and Tieling Draft Horse (TDH). In MFGMs, 16 (SF), 66 (WP), and 45 (TDH) unique proteins were identified, which are involved in the endocytosis, ribosome, and staphylococcus aureus infection pathways, respectively. In whey, 31 (SF), 75 (WP), and 23 (TDH) unique proteins were identified, which are involved in the autophagy–animal, phenylalanine metabolism, and Vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption pathways, respectively. SF contained the lowest concentration of β-lactoglobulin, which can cause allergic reactions in humans. Our findings describe the nutritional differences and functional diversities of MFGM and whey proteins in different horse breeds, which could support developing formula more suitable for human infants.

Radiographic analysis of the dorsal hoof wall thickness in clinically normal draft horses.

To evaluate the radiographic thickness of the dorsal hoof wall in normal draft horse feet. 33 adult draft horses with no history of laminitis, no clinically obvious lameness, and visibly unremarkable front feet were included. This was a prospective, descriptive study of clinically normal draft horses' front feet. Lateromedial radiographs were acquired of the front feet. A ratio of the dorsal hoof wall thickness to the length of the distal phalanx (DHWP3 ratio) was calculated. The dorsal hoof wall thickness to length of the distal phalanx was calculated as 0.33 ± 0.03 (range of 0.28 to 0.39) in this population of draft horses. With very few exceptions, the heterogeneous population of draft horses evaluated in this study had a DHWP3 ratio greater than previously published values in lighter breeds (< 0.30).

Myocardial injury following acute abdominal hemorrhage and septicemia in a seventeen-month-old draft horse

A seventeen-month-old draft horse gelding was presented with acute abdominal bleeding following castration. After two blood transfusions and medical treatment, clinical parameters stabilized, and the horse seemed to recover. Four days after admission, the horse suddenly developed tachycardia, tachypnea and pyrexia. Electrocardiography revealed paroxysmal monomorphic ventricular tachycardia related to myocardial injury. The horse recovered progressively after medical treatment and returned to normal sinus rhythm. In this case report, the importance to monitor for myocardial injury and cardiac arrhythmias after acute hemorrhage is highlighted.